![MS Dhoni starts preparation for IPL 2026 [Source: @mufaddal_vohra/x]](https://onecricketnews.akamaized.net/parth-editor/oc-dashboard/news-images-prod/1769246952124_MSDhonibeginsIPLpreparations.jpg?type=hq)
MS Dhoni starts preparation for IPL 2026 [Source: @mufaddal_vohra/x]
MS Dhoni has commenced his preparations for the upcoming IPL 2026 season. Set to reprise his role for the CSK franchise, the legendary wicketkeeper-batter was spotted training in the nets, as per a recent social media update.
The Jharkhand State Cricket Association (JSCA) shared a short video of the same, with the clip quickly going viral among netizens, sparking excitement among CSK fans ahead of the new season.
MS Dhoni starts IPL 2026 preparation in Jharkhand
On Saturday, January 24, i.e., a couple of months prior to the launch of the IPL 2026 season, CSK veteran MS Dhoni commended his preparations for the upcoming showpiece event. The 44-year-old was spotted padding up at the nets in Jharkhand, as per a social media video shared by the JSCA.
In the video, MS Dhoni can even be seen interacting with former national teammate and ex-Jharkhand cricketer Saurabh Tiwary before heading off to bat.
It is worth noting that MS Dhoni will once again turn up for the CSK franchise this IPL 2026 season only as a player considering the legendary wicketkeeper-batter has relinquished his captaincy responsibilities in favour of rising star Ruturaj Gaikwad.
MS Dhoni retained by CSK, heads for record season
MS Dhoni was among the 16 cricketers to be retained by the CSK franchise last year prior to the IPL 2026 auction. The 44-year-old was retained alongside the likes of captain Ruturaj Gaikwad, all-rounder Shivam Dube, hard-hitting South African Dewald Brevis among others. Here is a look at the entire CSK squad for IPL 2026.
CSK squad for IPL 2026:
Ruturaj Gaikwad, Ayush Mhatre, Dewald Brevis, MS Dhoni (WK), Sanju Samson (WK), Urvil Patel (WK), Shivam Dube, Jamie Overton, Ramkrishna Ghosh, Noor Ahmad, Khaleel Ahmed, Anshul Kamboj, Nathan Ellis, Shreyas Gopal, Mukesh Choudhary, Gurjapneet Singh, Akeal Hosein, Prashant Veer, Kartik Sharma, Matthew Short, Aman Khan, Sarfaraz Khan, Matt Henry, Rahul Chahar and Zak Foulkes
The upcoming IPL 2026 season will also mark MS Dhoni’s 17th edition of the tournament for the CSK franchise, thus becoming one of the most capped IPL players for a single team. RCB zealot Virat Kohli continues to top the elite table with 282 T20 matches for his team across IPL and CLT20.
MS Dhoni IPL career
MS Dhoni also holds one of the most decorated careers in the history of IPL, having led the CSK franchise to five title victories as captain. The former Indian captain has played 278 matches for CSK and Rising Pune Supergiants franchises in IPL, and 302 overall including the now-defunct CLT20.
In IPL alone, MS Dhoni has aggregated 5,439 runs from 242 innings at a prolific batting average of 38.30 and with a staggering strike rate of 137.45. While he has recorded 24 half-centuries in the tournament, it has been nearly four years since Dhoni charted his last IPL fifty.
Nonetheless, the IPL 2026 season is set to be played between March 26 and May 31 as per a tentative schedule. As many as 84 matches will be played in the tournament, making it the largest IPL season in terms of number of matches.
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